Daily Archives: May 6, 2016

Mayor fundraised ‘stupidly,’ but it’s not a crime, says TenantsPAC

Mike McKee of TenantsPAC (Photo by Sabina Mollot)

Mike McKee of TenantsPAC (Photo by Sabina Mollot)

By Sabina Mollot

With multiple well-publicized probes into the de Blasio administration currently underway, investigating, among other things, the mayor’s attempt to help Democrats control the State Senate in 2014, it’s still too soon to say if Senate Democrats will be harmed in the upcoming elections.

This was the view of Mike McKee, the treasurer and spokesperson for TenantsPAC, despite some admittedly “stupid” behavior on the part of the mayor, who actually got TenantsPAC’s endorsement in 2013. Flipping the Republican-controlled Senate is a major goal of TenantsPAC.

But McKee agreed with the argument that’s been made by Mayor Bill de Blasio, which is that the sudden interest in his fundraising activity was politically motivated — no doubt orchestrated by the mayor’s longtime adversary in Albany, Governor Cuomo.

“Everyone knows this is how he operates — he’s vindictive,” said McKee of Cuomo. As for the mayor, McKee said he deserves some blame for not realizing he was bound to come under some scrutiny for his personal nonprofit aimed at pushing his progressive agenda, The Campaign for One New York.

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13th Precinct C.O. warns of spike in scams, burglaries

Deputy Inspector Brendan Timoney at the 13th Precinct Community Council meeting Photo by Maria Rocha-Buschel)

Deputy Inspector Brendan Timoney at the 13th Precinct Community Council meeting (Photo by Maria Rocha-Buschel)

By Maria Rocha-Buschel

Police are warning of an uptick in scams, which is likely due to the fact that it’s still tax season, including general email scams in which victims are tricked into thinking friends and family need fast cash to get out of trouble.

There’s also been a rash of office burglaries and a spike in assaults on cops.

The stats were reported by the commanding officer of the 13th Precinct, Deputy Inspector Brendan Timoney at the most recent precinct community council meeting last Tuesday.

“Any emails you get from people asking for money, contact the person first,” he said. “Someone could have stolen their information so reach out to them before you send them any money.”

He added that recent thefts at local gyms have also contributed to a precinct-wide spike in grand larceny, partially because victims aren’t putting locks on their lockers while working out. This has also been an issue for car break-ins.

“It isn’t specific to one area but there have been some around the hospitals, where doctors and nurses are leaving bags in their car and leaving the cars unlocked,” he said.

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